The phenomenon that is Gangnam Style has taken the world by storm, putting the spotlight on the Gangnam District of the South Korean city of Seoul and its unique modern culture.

The phenomenon that is Gangnam Style has taken the world by storm, putting the spotlight on the Gangnam District of the South Korean city of Seoul and its unique modern culture. With celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Britney Spears and Katy Perry praising the song for its catchy beat and oddly unique dance moves, Gangnam Style has managed to have the world singing and dancing in Korean and has fuelled international interest in the Korean language and culture. But does the world really know the meaning behind the song they are chanting? Why has this specific song, amongst hundreds of others, managed to stick in our heads?

Gangnam style refers to the lifestyle associated with the Gangnam district of Seoul, South Korea. The district is known for its high fashion and hedonistic clubs, setting trends for other cities to follow. But the song itself sends a different message - to have your own style and not follow the masses, poking fun at those who do tend to follow the crowd, which may be the reason why it has been able to catch the attention of the world. But to enjoy the song to its fullest potential, it is essential to understand the Korean language and k-pop culture.

Eton Institute, the UAE’s largest training centre, is giving away software courses and eBooks in Korean language to 20 lucky participants who register on their website www.eton.ac[2], to promote a greater enjoyment and understanding of the chart topping song and the Korean pop culture.

Mahina Bukhari, Marketing Officer at Eton Institute stated, “The language has catapulted to popularity in recent years due to its higher profile in business dealings as well as its hugely popular soap operas and music scene. Gangnam style is the cherry on top to get the world to notice the huge potential the Korean culture and language holds. By giving away the Korean software course and eBooks, we are giving people the ability to enjoy and understand the song and the language in a fun way.”